So, how do I, as a Messianic Jew, celebrate Passover? Our table is open to Messianic and non-Messianic Jews alike. Whatever version of the Hagaddah is used, we are, together, a people redeemed by God. I resonate deeply with the Passover story and with the promises of our future redemption as a people, promises that relect the words of Scripture.
At this table, Messianic and non-Messianic Jews all say the same blessings and respond to our God with the same words spoken by Jews across the world: “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, ruler of the world, who redeemed us and redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, and brought us to this night.” Whatever our differences, there is clearly an “us” at this table, commemorating our redemption and thanking God for the redemption yet to come.
For as many as are the promises of God, they all ind their “Yes” in him. For this reason we also utter “Amen” to God . . . (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Jews all over the world eat the Passover meal during this season to commemorate our deliverance from slavery in Egypt long ago. As we enjoy this meal together, the very food on our plates reminds us of the past. We read from the Passover Haggadah, a little book that tells the story of Passover and also gives us the order of the night’s events, including the blessings and prayers.
As Jews eat the unleavened bread and portions of bitter herbs, parsley and such, we are reminded of the sufferings we experienced in Egypt as a people, and of God’s deliverance. At a certain point in the evening, we read the words of the Haggadah thanking God for delivering us, as a people, from that slavery: “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, ruler of the world, who redeemed us and redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, and brought us to this night.” As with all Jewish holidays, we do not only remember the past, we also anticipate the final redemption that has been promised to us.
For Messianic Jews, Passover has a special meaning. These promises, along with all the promises of God, ind their “Yes” in Yeshua. Yeshua does not only say “Yes” to the promises of God, but that “Yes” is embodied in him. Everything about Yeshua answers “Yes” to God and to God’s promises. Yeshua is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29) whose “Yes” to God involved giving himself completely into God’s hands.
Rabbi Carl Kinbar
Rabbi Carl Kinbar is the Provost of Messianic Jewish Theological Institute and Director of its online School of Jewish Studies.
The purpose of this column is to bring out “things old and new” from Jewish writings that relate to Messianic Jewish identity today.